>The problem is that there are too many THIRD parties, however I think the time is ripe for big changes in our government and that Bloomberg could run a real eye opening campaign. The third party candidates have been useful in bringing up issues the Republicats try to avoid, but the ones that stay in to the end with no real chance of winning end up taking votes away from the major candidate closest to their platform.

I meant a VIABLE third (fourth, fifth) party.

And about bringing up issues - what's the average influence of voters on issues where the two parties agree? Do these ever come up for public debate?